Homes as old as the village
About nine miles north of downtown Cincinnati, between Interstate 75 and Mill Creek, is the village of Elmwood Place. The village started in the late 19th century, and some houses in the neighborhood have been around that long. It’s common to see some classic architecture walking along Vine Street, the main road that runs north and south through the village. “There are sidewalks everywhere, so you can pretty much walk anywhere in the village,” says Christopher Smith, a reference librarian at the Elmwood Place Branch Library. “Many people stay because of family and friends. It’s a very strong and proud community.”
Municipal building and library
The Elmwood Place Municipal Building is at the corner of Vine and Maple Streets. It’s home to the mayor’s office, the police department and the Elmwood Place Branch Library. “It’s a busy place in the neighborhood,” Smith says. “Students and their families will walk over after school for special events and programs.” Some programs include a once-monthly crafts course and a storytelling session for kids. The library has a collection of the latest books to check out, along with music and DVDs.
The Elmwood Place Municipal Building is at the corner of Vine and Maple Streets. It’s home to the ma
With the age of the houses in Elmwood Place, some need extra attention, which has attracted investors to the area to make improvements. Some improvements have already been made, including a Foursquare from 1888 that has received a top-to-bottom makeover. Still, the three-bedroom, 1,500-square-foot home is valued at around $200,000. Homes that need a little grunt work are selling for under $100,000. Some other architectural styles in the area include Colonial Revival, Queen Anne and bungalows. Sixty percent of the people in Elmwood Park are renters.
Local elementary school
Elmwood Place Elementary School is located near the municipal building and the library. The school is part of the St. Bernard-Elmwood Place City School District. The neighborhood is set up so students attend two schools in the 12-plus years of schooling. Elmwood Place teaches prekindergarten through sixth grade. The school is also rated a C-plus on Niche. St. Bernard-Elmwood Place High School is rated a B-minus with a 13-to-1 student-teacher ratio. Students can enroll in the College Credit Plus program, earning simultaneous high school and college credits through Sinclair College and various state four-year schools.
Eating and workout options
As the name indicates, Scoop Dawg specializes in hot dogs and ice cream. The New York Dawg has spicy brown mustard, sauerkraut and onion. Other food items include a taco salad, fried chicken salad and a Philly cheesesteak sandwich. For those who prefer meatless entrees, Aspired Vegan features a vegan version of Cincinnati chili as well as veggie burgers and wash it down with freshly squeezed healthy juice. Paradise Gym and Fitness Center has a weight room, equipment for cardio works and a pro shop that sells workout tools. For those who like activity outside, there’s the baseball diamond and green space at Vickie Stambaugh Park near Interstate 75 or the modest space at the corner of Elmwood Avenue and Walnut Street with room for a playground.
Industrial area
The area between the villages of Elmwood Place and St. Bernard is an industrial area with DHL Shipping the largest facility, but there are many more employers in the area. Some won’t have to drive very far for work. Downtown Cincinnati is less than 10 miles to the south and is accessible via Interstate 75. The Metro bus network has stops along Vine Street.
Written By
Jeff Stapleton
Photography Contributed By
Nick Janning
Video By
Francisco de la Vera
